A DECISION to cancel elections in Essex has sparked accusations that it will “significantly harm faith in our democratic system.” reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Secretary of State Angela Rayner’s announcement yesterday has angered a slew of Essex politicians, and residents will now have to wait to vote until 2026—and even then, only for a mayor of Essex.

There is speculation the Government is working to establish around five new unitary councils in Essex by 2028. It means the elections in May for seats on Essex County Council won’t go ahead, and councillors currently elected may still be there in 2028 – an extra three years without facing a vote.

The government and the Essex County Council Tory leadership, backed by Labour councillors, argued that to ensure efficient and timely local government reorganisation, it would be best to avoid having elections for one year.

However, it means county councillors will be left in post way past the date that many may have lost their seat.

It has sparked outcry, including from Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats, who argue that they were posed to be two of the big winners at the ballot box.

Councillor Jaymey McIvor, Reform Essex County Councillor for Ongar, said: “I think it’s a very sad day for Essex democracy, I think overwhelmingly people in Essex wanted an election, no one told us the last set would be the last one.

“The electorate is being hoodwinked to believe it is necessary to cancel the elections. It does not need to be this way. It’s a choice by Labour and the Conservatives. No one should be under any allusions. This is just being done by the Government.

“The biggest implication is the impact on the public’s faith in politics, which is already at an all-time low, and this will further separate people from politics.

“It will significantly harm faith in our democratic system and really does some damage to that.

“It’s outrageous that councillors can pick and choose when they face the electorate. Almost 5,000 people signed a petition in Essex to have the elections that are being ignored.”

The government’s green light to scrap the 2025 election came about three weeks after Essex County Council, backed by Essex Conservatives and Labour, voted to ask the government for permission as part of grander plans for devolution and the reorganisation of local councils in the area.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Mike Mackrory said: “Democracy delayed is Democracy denied. Our residents have been denied the opportunity to have their say on the performance of Conservative-run Essex County Council and, just as importantly, have denied voters the opportunity to shape the future of local government in Essex. The Labour government has colluded with Conservative County Councils who are desperate to stay in power and fear the judgement of the electorate.”

The proposal suggests scrapping Essex County Council, the 12 district and borough councils, Southend, and Thurrock and consolidating their responsibilities under regional “super authorities.” These unitary authorities, responsible for populations of at least 500,000 people, would manage everything from social care and education to bin collections and highway maintenance.

The plan is accompanied by a proposal to create a directly elected mayor responsible for a new Greater Essex Combined Authority for the county of Essex. This would see a mayoral strategic authority established in April 2026 and a mayoral election in May 2026. The creation of unitary authorities would likely involve first creating “shadow” councils, which could be elected in May 2027. These could work to prepare for a switch-on date—possibly in April 2028—when they would start operating, and the county council would cease to exist.

Councillor Mackrory added: “This is a slap in the face of voters who are being denied the chance to kick out the Conservatives and give their verdict on the Labour government. It is outrageous that councillors elected in 2021 may not face the electorate for probably seven years.

“The Conservatives are so scared of the electorate that they would rather cling on to power in councils without a democratic mandate. We will continue to stand up for our residents as local Liberal Democrat champions. Their voices must not be silenced.”

Councillor David King, Lib Dem leader of Colchester Council, said: “I share the concern from many residents and councillors across Essex at the elections being postponed. We need to ensure we reflect the political views of our residents and that they understand the deep changes Government wants to make and the necessary consequences of this reform.

“We need to renew democratic mandate in every council as soon as possible and more focus needs to be on how it will look in Essex and how many unitary councils will be formed. We need to understand how the mayoral strategic authority looks and make sure residents understand how deep the changes are and how difficult it will prove to be to get hold of councillors and for councillors to understand the issues in the area.”

However, even though the county council’s Conservative administration heartily backed the plan, there have been dissenting voices among Tories in Essex.

Councillor Danielle Belton, leader of the Rochford Conservatives, said: “I’m disappointed but not surprised that the 2025 elections have been postponed. The whole process feels highly undemocratic and further supports the idea that the Labour Government are going to force devolution and/or local government reorganisation on us, whether we want it or not, and I can’t help but feel that the main agenda is to pave a way for mass building in the area.”

Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois described the move as “anti-democratic” adding: “If the Secretary of State really believes that there is widespread support within Essex for this devolution process- let’s have a referendum to prove it.”

The Leader of Essex County Council, Councillor Kevin Bentley, said the £2.5 million cost of holding elections, which could hamper the work of driving through change, must be acknowledged in the face of its successful request to be part of the devolution priority programme.

He said: “I am thrilled that our hard work to bring devolution to Essex has paid off, and we are a step closer to seeing real positive change in our county.

“We welcome the government’s acceptance of our request and eagerly await the next steps.

“I truly believe devolution is the best choice for our county’s future. It is the biggest chance we will get to rethink our system and bring more power into the hands of local people. This will mean more opportunities for our residents and businesses that will help them and our whole county flourish.

“With regard to Local Government Reorganisation, we will commit to working together with all councils in Essex to ensure that it delivers the best outcome for our residents and businesses too.”

Councillor Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Council, avoided addressing the cancellation of the election in a statement but added: “The age of complacency and decline in Essex is ending. Reorganisation is the reset button the county desperately needs.”